PTSD and multiple addl Mental issues. SMC(s)

[Bunny448]

Hello, 

reading that VA rates all mental health conditions using same diagnostic criteria.  Throughout my files I have diagnoses of a dozen mental health issues such as Major Depressive Disorder, but connected only for PTSD. (Separately I am connected for TBI).  I read vets with, ex. 50% PTSD and 30% Major Depressive disorder would have them combined under one diagnostic code for 70% for one condition (per CCK website).

In this case, is it possible to file separately for each of my mental conditions? 

If you had a bunch of mental issues, and they combined to reach 100%, would that be considered a single disability that you could add to another 60% to apply for SMC(s) (non housebound) ?

As it stands I am 100 p*t schedular with another 60, but do not qualify bc it is schedular.   Thank you!

 

[El Train]

You're only going to get one Mental health condition.  No telling what your overall rating will be.  If they haven't combine your TBI with your mental health, they probably will do that.  They can separate any TBI conditions such as vertigo, headaches, vision problems, incontinence, etc.  In my case, I had 100% for ptsd.  I had TBI rated at 70%.  They combined them at 100% ptsd/tbi since my ptsd was the higher of the two.  They will not overlap symptoms to avoid pyramiding.  PTSD and TBI share a lot of the same symptoms.  I did get some tbi issues separated, like headaches.